Cozy Hearty Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe for Winter

Chilly evenings call for a comforting bowl of hearty crockpot chicken wild rice soup that warms you from the inside out.

This soul-soothing recipe combines tender chicken and nutty wild rice in a creamy, luxurious broth.

Packed with wholesome vegetables and aromatic herbs, the soup delivers layers of rich, satisfying flavor.

Each spoonful brings a perfect balance of protein and earthy grains, making it an ideal meal for cold days.

The slow cooker does all the hard work, melding ingredients into a delectable, nourishing dish.

Minimal prep and maximum taste make this soup a weeknight dinner champion that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Must-Have Tools to Make This Soup Foolproof

• Crockpot: Essential for slow-cooking the entire soup with all ingredients.
• Two forks: Perfect for easily shredding the cooked chicken.
• Small saucepan: Needed for creating the creamy roux and milk mixture.
• Whisk: Critical for smoothly blending flour and milk without lumps.
• Cutting board: Useful for chopping vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions.
• Sharp knife: Required for precise vegetable and ingredient preparation.
• Measuring cups: Help accurately portion broth, milk, and other liquid ingredients.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring soup and combining final ingredients.

Follow These Steps for a Rich, Hearty Soup

• Toss Ingredients Into Crockpot

Dump chicken, wild rice, diced veggies, herbs, and broth into your slow cooker. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper for a flavor boost.

• Let Magic Happen

Cover the crockpot and let it work its wonder. If you’re in a hurry, use high heat for 4-5 hours. For a slower approach, set it on low for 6-7 hours until chicken falls apart and rice gets soft.

• Break Down the Protein

Pull out the chicken and shred it using two forks. Tear it into delicious, bite-sized pieces and return it back to the soup.

• Create Creamy Goodness

Whip up a quick roux by melting butter and mixing in flour. Gradually pour in milk, stirring until it transforms into a silky smooth sauce. Fold this creamy mixture into your soup for extra richness.

• Final Touch and Serve

Give everything a good stir, taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle into warm bowls and enjoy your comforting, hearty meal that’s packed with flavor and nutrition.

Ways to Tweak Texture and Boost Flavor

• Swap wild rice with brown rice or quinoa for different textures and nutritional profiles. Each grain brings unique flavor and health benefits to your soup.
• Replace chicken with rotisserie chicken, turkey, or plant-based alternatives like tofu for dietary flexibility and exciting taste variations.
• Substitute milk with unsweetened almond milk, coconut cream, or vegetable broth to create a creamy consistency without dairy ingredients.
• Reduce rice quantity and add extra vegetables like cauliflower or zucchini to lower carbohydrate content while maintaining hearty soup experience.
• Experiment with additional herbs like rosemary, smoked paprika, or cayenne pepper to elevate flavor profile and create a personalized soup that matches your taste preferences.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 68 hours

Total Time: 68 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 6

Gather the Goods for This Cozy Crockpot Chicken Soup

• Chicken: Tender meat that adds hearty substance and protein to the soup, choose boneless chicken breasts for easy shredding.
• Wild Rice: Nutty, wholesome grain that provides texture and earthy flavor, select a high-quality blend for best results.

• Onion, Garlic: Foundational flavor builders that create a rich, deep base for the soup, opt for fresh cloves and sweet yellow onions.
• Carrots, Celery: Classic soup vegetables that add natural sweetness and crisp texture, select firm, bright-colored produce for maximum flavor.

• Bay Leaves: Subtle, woodsy flavor enhancer that brings depth to the overall dish, use dried leaves for consistent taste.
• Thyme, Parsley: Fresh herbs that brighten and elevate the soup's complexity, choose vibrant green sprigs for maximum aroma.

• Broth: Core liquid that determines soup's fundamental taste, select low-sodium chicken broth for better control of salt levels.

• Butter, Flour: Traditional thickening agents that create smooth, velvety texture, use unsalted butter and all-purpose flour.
• Milk: Provides silky richness and helps create a luxurious consistency, whole milk works best for maximum creaminess.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning that balances and enhances all other flavors, use freshly ground black pepper for best results.

Soup Serving Suggestions That Keep It Interesting

• Cozy Winter Meal Companion: Pair this hearty soup with crusty sourdough bread for dipping and soaking up all the delicious broth.
• Protein Power Boost: Top with crispy bacon bits or sliced grilled chicken to add extra protein and create a more substantial meal.
• Fresh Flavor Burst: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, green onions, or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the soup's rich flavors and add a zesty touch.
• Comfort Combo Plate: Serve alongside a simple green salad with light vinaigrette to balance the soup's creamy texture and provide a refreshing contrast.

How to Store It for Easy Lunches or Lazy Dinners

• Transfer leftover soup to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and food safety.
• Portion soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight expansion room, and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating gently.
• Warm soup slowly on stovetop or microwave, stirring occasionally to restore creamy consistency. Add splash of broth if soup seems too thick after refrigeration.
• Chop vegetables and measure ingredients the night before cooking, storing them separately in refrigerator to streamline morning crockpot preparation.

Hearty Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty crockpot chicken wild rice soup warms winter’s chill with Minnesota comfort. Rich, creamy broth and tender chicken mingle with nutty wild rice, promising delicious comfort in each spoonful you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 6 cups (1.4 L) low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup (190 g) uncooked wild rice (not a blend)
• 1 cup (150 g) chopped carrots
• 1 cup (100 g) chopped celery
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsps (45 g) butter
• ⅓ cup (40 g) flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk (or half-and-half)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation Setup: Combine chicken, wild rice, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, parsley, and broth in the crockpot, seasoning with salt and pepper to create a robust flavor foundation.
2. Slow Cooking Process: Seal the crockpot and allow ingredients to simmer on low temperature for 6-8 hours or high temperature for 4-5 hours, ensuring chicken becomes tender and rice reaches perfect consistency.
3. Chicken Transformation: Extract chicken from the crockpot, delicately shred using two forks, and reintegrate into the soup, distributing protein evenly throughout the mixture.
4. Creamy Enhancement: Craft a velvety roux by melting butter in a separate pan, incorporating flour, and gradually introducing milk while whisking continuously to create a smooth, luxurious sauce that will elevate the soup’s texture and depth.
5. Final Refinement: Incorporate the creamy mixture into the crockpot, thoroughly blend all ingredients, adjust seasoning if necessary, and serve piping hot, ready to warm and satisfy.

Notes

• Use wild rice blend for better consistency and prevent overcooking; rinse rice beforehand to remove excess starch and ensure perfect tenderness.
• Monitor broth levels during cooking to prevent dryness; add extra liquid if rice appears too thick or absorbing quickly.
• Temper milk mixture gradually to avoid curdling; whisk continuously while adding to prevent lumps and create smooth, silky texture.
• Substitute dairy milk with almond or coconut milk for lactose-free version; replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-sensitive individuals.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-8 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 70mg